Lithgow City Council will be opening J M Robson Aquatic Centre as of the 15th June 2020 in line with NSW Health restrictions.

As restrictions continue to ease, Lithgow City Council will be reopening the J M Robson Aquatic Centre to public use on 15 June 2020. This reopening will be accompanied by a set of strict guidelines incorporated within a Safety Plan, as mandated by the State Government, which aim to protect the safety of the public and staff. These operating restrictions will include the following:

• Social distancing of 1.5 metres MUST be maintained at all times.
• Entry will be through the reception area only with exit through the rear door.
• Payment will be by EFTPOS only to reduce contact with cash.
• Screens have been installed at reception for social distancing purposes.
• Any patron who is unwell or has a high temperature will not be permitted into the centre.
• Benches have been marked out with correct social distancing procedures with every second bench being available only.
• Sanitisation stations will be provided at all entries and exits for use before entry and at exit
• Initially the centre will be open to lap swimmers only.
• Showers will be temporarily unavailable with change rooms being for emergencies only. Residents must change at home to eliminate contact of communal surfaces in every instance possible.
• Contact details will be recorded for contact tracing purposes.
• A health questionnaire must be filled out before first use of the pool.

In addition to the above, the facility will operate under a new set of operating hours and booking requirements as follows:

• Opening Hours:
  • Monday – Friday 6am -6pm
  • Weekends – 8am-2pm
• Bookings will be essential, with the following restrictions in place;
  • Timeslots will be booked on the hour however swimming time will be limited to 45minutes to allow sanitization in between groups
    • For example, come at 6am swim and leave the centre by 6:45am providing staff 15 minutes to sanitize for the next group.
    • Timeslots will be strictly adhered to. Patrons are expected to arrive ready to swim.
  • There will be a maximum of one person permitted per lane
  • Each patron will be allowed 2 sessions per week and bookings will only be taken 24 hours in advance.
• Bookings will be taken via phone only from 8:30am this Friday for Monday 15th June 2020.
• It is advised that all patrons attend the facility no more than 5 minutes before their booking time to reduce outside queuing.

Council apologises for any inconvenience that the above conditions of operation may cause. However, maintaining the low rates of transmission in NSW and Australia are contingent on a cautious approach to safe operation of community facilities. Lithgow City Council will continue to monitor NSW Health Guidelines and update its procedures and operating guidelines to align with NSW Health advice.

For reservations, please contact the J M Robson Aquatic Centre directly on 02 6352 9160

Lithgow Council continues to monitor developments with respect to COVID-19 and wishes to provide an update on opening conditions for the Lithgow Solid Waste Facility.

Following the effectiveness of COVID-19 controls and easing of restrictions by the NSW Government in relation to outdoor public gatherings, Council will open Lithgow Solid Waste Facility to the public during all opening times from Monday 8 June 2020. General public access during the week will no longer require an appointment from this time.

Importantly, restrictions regarding social distancing on site will remain and these will continue to be updated in line with the NSW Government Public Health Order.

The continuing COVID-19 Risk Management protocols at Lithgow Solid Waste Facility are:

• All persons unloading waste and the landfill are required to maintain 1.5 metre social distancing
• No members of the public to visit the site if suffering flu like symptoms or under self-isolation restrictions.
• Persons must follow landfill attendants instructions at all times.
• 3 designated tipping areas open at light vehicle general waste tipping zone – drivers must wait until unloading area is clear to access tipping area and unload waste
• Persons unloading green waste must maintain 5m separation between vehicles.
• Only one vehicle in site recycling areas (metal, cardboard, E-waste) area at any time.
• Only one vehicle unloading mattresses or tyres at any time.
• No cash sales for mattresses/tyres.

Residents are reminded there may be delays during unloading and people are asked to be patient and remain courteous to landfill staff.

It is essential that residents continue to follow the protocols on site to protect landfill workers, other customers and themselves. The site will remain open subject to the these protocols being effective and any further developments from the NSW or Commonwealth governments in relation to COVID-19.

Council thanks residents for their patience during this time.

Lithgow City Council can assist Council’s tenants who have been financially impacted by COVID-19.

If you wish to apply for rent relief please contact Council’s property officer by email at council@lithgow.nsw.gov.au.

Over 1700 businesses have responded to the Premier’s call to help supply medical equipment and hygiene products to essential services workers.

Suppliers have registered to provide a range of personal protective equipment (PPE) products, including hand sanitiser, handwash and soap, gloves, disinfectant, gowns, masks, eyewear and paper products.

Industry buyers such as industry associations, businesses, local governments, private healthcare providers and not-for-profit organisations are encouraged to use the PPE supplier list for industry to secure supplies needed for safe and robust operations in your local communities.

The list has over 200 suppliers who have indicated they can service personal protective equipment (PPE) needs through business-to-business transactions. You can search for suppliers by postcode or suppliers’ service areas.

The PPE supplier list can be accessed here - https://buy.nsw.gov.au/news/2020/covid-19-emergency-supplies-portal

Advice has been received from the Office of Local Government that paves the way for the re-opening of Council owned Golf Courses and Tennis Courts. 

In response to clarification of the current Public Health Orders sought by Councils on the status of council operated and owned outdoor recreational facilities, including tennis courts and golf courses, the Office of Local Government issued advice on Tuesday evening that such facilities may be re-opened subject to social distancing rules.

While premises used for the purpose of indoor recreational facilities must close, outdoor recreational facilities, unless specifically prohibited within the Order, can remain open, provided persons using the facility adhere to the orders around social distancing and public gatherings.

Outdoor facilities that are still prohibited in the Public Health Order and must remain closed include public swimming pools, outdoor playground or gym equipment and skate parks.

Lithgow Mayor Ray Thompson called on all communities in the Lithgow LGA to continue to support the very competent initiatives that the Federal and State Governments have put in place to protect us as they navigate the current COVID – 19 emergency.

“We need all politicians and community members to unite behind what is proving to be an extremely competent response to the difficulties faced by our current government, and to avoid divisive actions that may disrupt the strategies that are in place” said Mayor Thomson.

“The Governments strategies focusing on

• protecting employees, the unemployed and most vulnerable in our community ,
• Protecting our businesses,
• social distancing,
• arranging partnerships with private hospitals to access 34000 more hospital beds and more qualified nursing staff, and
• Rental assistance to residential and commercial tenant

are the most targeted and welcomed strategies that I have witnessed in my political career, and deserve the support of all politicians and community members as this crisis unfolds” said the Mayor.

“For our part, we must support these strategies by staying at home where possible and maintaining the social distancing guidelines that have been mandated,” said the Mayor